P-47 42-27609's Story | January 7, 2015

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This P-47D-23 RA served in the Southwest Pacific. It was abandoned at Dobodura Airfield on Papua New Guinea in 1944. Later it was recorded as sitting in the yard of a house in Popondetta, the capital of Oro province in northern Papua New Guinea.

We are researching the unit it served with, we know it was 5th Air Force and probably part of either the 348th or 58th Fighter Group. One squadron of the 348th has been eliminated ( the 342nd) and the 35th Fighter Group remains a slim possibility.

Any information on Thunderbolts in New Guinea, or photos would be greatly appreciated.